The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
Find out more about space activities in our 23 Member States, and understand how ESA works together with their national agencies, institutions and organisations.
Exploring our Solar System and unlocking the secrets of the Universe
Go to topicProtecting life and infrastructure on Earth and in orbit
Go to topicUsing space to benefit citizens and meet future challenges on Earth
Go to topicMaking space accessible and developing the technologies for the future
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ESA supports and accelerates disruptive technologies that will best meet ESA’s future space transportation needs for the 2025–2040 period under an ESA initiative called FIRST! – Future Innovation Research in Space Transportation.
ATG Italy will use its carbon-fibre-based multi-payload adapter to replace current metallic structures. Multi-payload adapters need to be sturdy and provide connections to multiple satellites, while withstanding the stresses of launch.
This new composite lattice technology could open the way for lighter multi-payload adapters to increase payload capacity and cut the costs of launch.